What’s the One Thing that 72% of Australians Agree On?

According to a recent study, 73%1 of Australians bought ice cream at the grocery store at least once last year. That makes sense, because ice cream is delicious and people love it.

According to another recent poll, 72%2 of Australians support marriage equality. And when you think about it, that makes sense too, because everybody loves love.

Profound Support

What’s perhaps most surprising about this overwhelming support for marriage equality is just how deep it goes.

96%3 of the population is aware that marriage equality is not yet legal, and—according to an earlier poll—75%4 sees reform as “inevitable.” That alone is a great sign.

But, even more hopeful, majorities support that reform across every single demographic—men and women, employed and unemployed, religious and secular, young and old, urban and rural.5 It’s astounding, and represents (so far!) the culmination of a long, steadily rising trend. Never has support been so high and opposition so low.

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The Right Side of History

Ben & Jerry’s has long supported marriage equality in Australia and around the world. To date, marriage equality is the law of the land in nearly two dozen countries.6

In the past year alone, five countries—Colombia, the United States, Greenland, Ireland, and Finland—have allowed marriage for all, which is a beautiful thing. We love it, but we’re hungry for more. Isn’t it time for Australia to step up too?

Here at Home

So with tons of support at home, and change coming in a flurry abroad, what should we expect from the as-yet-unscheduled plebiscite (which itself has invited some controversy)?

When asked in a recent radio interview by the host whether she should start shopping for wedding gifts for gay friends who want to marry, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said, “I think you’re unlikely to be disappointed” by the result of the vote. He went on to say, “I think the plebiscite will be carried, I think there will be a positive vote.” Which is nice! But many have questioned why the prime minister, who is on record supporting marriage equality, does not simply push for Parliament to take action on the issue. No referendum is needed to make equality the law of the land—it looks to be nothing more than a delay tactic, wrapped in patriotic language about the “voice of the people.” Further, the plebiscite is not binding, meaning that even an overwhelming positive vote could not force Parliament to act.

Why spend more money and waste more time on a plebiscite when there’s a perfectly good system already in place for just this sort of thing? Remember: our elected leaders are in Parliament to make laws and represent us. Contact your MP and urge him or her to get to work.

We’ve come so far! And we’re finally so close! Let’s keep working, spreading the word, and pressuring our leaders to support marriage equality. The Australian people are clearly ready to join the 23 other countries that have already embraced the idea that we should celebrate love. Together, we’re going to make history.

We’ve come so far! And we’re finally so close! Let’s keep working, spreading the word, and pressuring our leaders to support marriage equality. The Australian people are clearly ready to join the 23 other countries that have already embraced the idea that we should celebrate love. Together, we’re going to make history.

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About Ben & Jerry's

From a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, to far-off places with names we sometimes mispronounce, the journey that began in 1978 with 2 guys and the ice cream business they built is as legendary as the ice cream is euphoric.

Ben & Jerry’s operates on a three-part mission that aims to create linked prosperity from everyone that’s connected to our business. From marriage equality to cow-friendly farming, there are many issues we hold close to our hearts.